Lore:Haefriding

Shor's Stand, the home of the Haefriding

The Haefriding, also known as Shor's Stand Nords, are an offshoot culture of Nords living in the Shor's Stand village in northwestern Solstice.

History

According to The Founding of Shor's Stand by village historian Ingorhild, the Haefriding culture began with Thane Haefrid of Skyrim, who led her people in search of a warmer, more bountiful land during a time of cold, hunger, and hardship. Fourteen set sail, facing storms, sea monsters, and dangers. Guided by Haefrid's vision, Vyrlytt's ingenuity, and Njor the Brave's sacrifice. As their journey stretched on, day gave way to an unnaturally long night. Above them, a great serpent blotted out the stars, casting their new home into darkness.

Despair took hold until Njor the Brave saw a glimmer of light. Guided by a dream of a fox whose tail became a bow, he loosed a mythical arrow said to pierce the serpent's heart. When morning finally broke, Njor was gone, leaving only the glowing bow of Shor. In his honor, the villagers feasted on cheese and mead, remembering the deeds of the first sailors. Other historians have claimed that Thane Haefrid led a fleet of ships, not just one, and that these vessels were later dismantled to build the village's first longhouses. However, Ingorhild staunchly rejected these accounts, holding firmly to the traditional tale passed down in Shor's Stand.

The number of founders was debated: some historians argued there were multiple ships, while others insist it was a single crew of fourteen. Interestingly, some of the stories that honor the fourteen ancestors actually recognize seventeen individuals. The Praise for the Fourteen actually lists seventeen individuals, including three children: Thane Haefrid, the visionary leader; Njor the Brave, wielder of the Bow of the Fox; Vyrkytt, (or Vyrlytt) the Clever, who created the village's gardens and storehouses; Edelreda the Unabashed, known for her profane curses against Corelanyan Elves; Tunwulf the Clean, noted for caution and forethought; Yiggrid the Fruitful and Valdin the Short, leaders of the First House, lovers and "parents of the first Nords"; Igi, who "rolled where she shouldn't"; Gjodlar Thickskin, a skilled hunter and forager; Bjareki and Olmand the Honest, who reminded others of the world they left behind; Nelnir, known for grand predictions; Aelf the Downtrodden, a skeptic; Somhard, a witch who died; and the three children, Little Eorfyg, Ekvynne, and Borralf who brought hope and joy to the founders.

Beliefs and Practices

The Nords of Shor's Stand, like many city-dwelling Nords of Sunport, primarily revere Shor and Kyne. Shor was believed to have been slain by Elven treachery in ages past, is a figure whose worship can be uncomfortable for some of their Corelanyan neighbours. Kyne, on the other hand, holds a special place of reverence among most of them as the patron deity of storms and the sea. She is especially venerated by sailors and the descendants of those who first arrived on the shores of Solstice. Some of their sayings were linked to Dibella.

Haefriding theology holds that the Aedra created the world but did not remain to protect it. Shor, unlike them, stayed loyal to his people. They view the "foreign gods" as betrayers who cast Shor into the underworld. When the sun threatened to vanish beyond the horizon, Shor did not abandon them to the dark. They believe that in times of despair, one must spark their own light, stand firm against those who would decide their fate, and, if all else fails, face death fighting rather than surrender to reach Sovngarde.

Many Haefriding customs trace back to their legendary ancestors' deeds. Once a year, they spit in the dirt to honor Edelreda the Unabashed's creativity and her colorful expressions. The tradition of preserving profanities inspired the invention of many new ones over the years. Some, such as those associated with Hoglund even attracted the interest of local Elven scholars. Similarly, the western path to Shor's Stand was kept clear of rocks and debris to honor Igi's daring spirit.

See Also

Books

• Charge of Shor by Frogirde — The onus of those of Shor's Stand
• Hoglund's Contributions to Nordic Profanity by Nafuudoril, Adjunct Linguist, College of Tomes — A translation of Nordic insults and profanity
• On the Tradition of Brawls by Indstaag — A retrospective about tavern brawling in Shor's Stand
• Praise for the Fourteen by Knudnar — A record of the founders of Shor's Stand and their deeds
• The Feud of Hoglund and Hjefnarr by Tale-Teller Nelna — A story about a feud between Nords and how it was resolved
• The Founding of Shor's Stand by Ingorhild, Village Historian — A account of the journey leading to the founding of Shor's Stand
• The Lessons of Kyne, Wisdom of Shor by Brevetta the Brave — A captain's account of quick actions saving their ship during a storm
• The Founding of Shor's Stand by Ingorhild, Village Historian — A account of the journey leading to the founding of Shor's Stand
• Together Stew Recipe Translated from Old Nord by Tryilva — A recipe for a stew in poetry form
• To Solstice We Came — A sea shanty about the Nords journey to Solstice
• Visitor's Guide to Western Solstice by Lector Paninriel of the College of Sea and Sword — An overview of places of interest in Western Solstice